Match Preview: Pools v Plymouth

By Albatross
November 21 2003

It's a heck of a long way from Hartlepool to Plymouth, and Pools face their longest and possibly toughest away trip to date. There are some signs of hope though - will Pools be making many happy returns?

Until last week, Plymouth were the undoubted form team in the division, with dreams of a run that would propel them to the title at a canter. They'd recorded some impressive wins, and certain people were already referreing to their opponents being "Plymouthed". All that changed though at the start of the month.

First of all was a 2-2 draw at home to Oldham; following this were a penalty defeat at home to Wycombe in the LDV, a 3-2 defeat at Northampton in the FA Cup, and then a 3-0 defeat at QPR that knocked them off top spot and left them without a win since a 1-0 defeat of Blackpool five games ago.

It's a run that the Pilgrims will be looking to change, and they still provide some very dangerous opposition for Pools. Despite recent events, they are in third place, three points ahead of Pools and the same behind leaders QPR; and their home record shows just one league defeat.

If Argyle are to record a win though, they will have to do it without their two leading scorers. David Friio (9 goals) misses the second of a three game ban for a sending off, while Micky Evans (8) collected his fifth caution a fortnight ago and is also suspended. Goals have been spread around somewhat though, and Pools will need to keep an eye on Marino Keith, Ian Stonebridge, and also defender Paul Wotton, who is something of a specialist at set pieces.

For Pools, the main questions seem to surround players now available rather than the other way round. Marco Gabbiadini returns from suspension - but will he be able to dislodge Jack Wilkinson, the latest Pools wunderkind? Will Mickey Barron win his place back after being replaced by Darren Craddock? Will John Brackstone return to the side following his injury? Cooper has some of the sort of problems every manager would like: in some areas at least, the Pools squad is thriving, and the youth team players are coming through with some assured performances when called upon.

This is a hard game for a Pools team that have not performed too well away from home at times, and personally I'd be delighted with a draw. However, I think that even without Friio and Evans Plymouth will prove too strong for us: a 2-0 defeat and a long journey home for the Poolie Faithful. Let's hope I'm wrong though....